Transform your scientific expertise into compelling stories that inspire the public, shape policy, and build your career!
As expectations for public engagement grow, the Science Communication & Outreach minor strengthens your ability to explain your work to community members, policymakers, educators, and industry partners. You’ll learn practical strategies for translating complex science, building trust, and engaging diverse audiences. The program strengthens your graduate training by integrating communication theory, outreach methods, evaluation approaches, and science communication research skills valuable across academic, non‑profit, government, and industry careers. With strong communication and outreach skills, you’ll be better prepared to help address urgent challenges like climate change, improved heath, food security, and environmental stewardship.
With the Science Communication & Outreach minor, you'll enhance your professional skill set and contribute to a more informed and inclusive dialogue between science and society.
Admission Requirements
Students must be enrolled in a graduate program at the University of Minnesota to complete the minor. Since this is a minor, students do not apply directly to the program, but should consult with the minor’s Director of Graduate Studies (contact information below) about course choices/fit, and fill out this form: Request to Add A Graduate Minor.
Program Requirements - Master’s Level
Master's students will complete a minimum of six (6) credits from the following courses:
- AECM 5252 - Principles of Communication, Public Outreach, & Social Change for Ag, Environmental, & Life Sciences (3 Cr.)
- AECM 5452 - Mobile Video Storytelling for Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resource Science Education (3 Cr.)
- AECM 5454 - Foundations of Evaluation in Comm, Public Outreach & Education in Ag, Environmental & Life Sciences (3 Cr.)
Program Requirements - Doctoral Level
Doctoral students should complete at least 12 credits from the list of courses below. Three of these 12 credits may instead be an elective course related to communication, education, and outreach that are selected with the minor or major advisor.
- AECM 5231 - Education Across AFNR (Agriculture, Food & Natural Resource) Contexts (3 Cr.)
- AECM 5233 - Advanced Learning & Curriculum for Agricultural Education (3 Cr.)
- AECM 5252 - Principles of Communication, Public Outreach, & Social Change for Ag, Environmental, & Life Sciences (3 Cr.)
- AECM 5452 - Mobile Video Storytelling for Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resource Science Education (3 Cr.)
- AECM 5454 - Foundations of Evaluation in Comm, Public Outreach & Education in Ag, Environmental & Life Sciences (3 Cr.)
- AECM 5993 - Directed Study in Agricultural Education and Communication (1-4 Cr.)
More Information
For more information about the Science Communication & Outreach minor, visit the UMN Catalog or contact Director of Graduate Studies Dr. Rebecca Swenson at [email protected].